Lost in Translation

happy birthday, sis

   My kid sister (who isn't really a kid, but I call her that anyways) turned 21 over the weekend. Although, I'm treating her to breakfast, shopping and a sewing class, here, in a couple weeks.. doesn't mean I can get away without making a few little TreeCookies, too. I played with this paper doll kit, and made a "mini Theresa", and then had the BEST idea! Who is one of her favorites?

Totoro! All I did, was trace an image from the web, transfer it to colored card stock and cut, cut, cut and glue away. I had so much fun making him, parading him around my desk for little bit, until it was time to go in the envelope. Along with a Marvy LePen (which are just lovely and oh so colorful.)

I couldn't forget the leaf. Paper Totoro says, "Have a great week!" Maybe, you can try to make your own paper creatures, too? The end result can be quite satisfying.


p.s. striking print-> Big Sister, Little Sister by PeachPatrol. It's perfect.

thank you

... to everyone out there. Friends and family, near and far. Stay positive <3

I made some thank you cards, for some great people who helped celebrate my birthday with me. The Golden Gate Bridge and home stamp is a set from Yellow Owl Workshop (whom I just adore. See here and here.) I picked it up as my souvenir at DeYoung. I also used one of my carved heart blocks and a stamp kit I got at the local office store. Love the orange. Go Giants!

Oh, do I love to make birthday stationery.

The latest was a simple concept. sunburst design (on cut chipboard) ... made with a 1/8th punch and 1 inch punch, and some good adhesive.

I'm so glad you liked them, Jen! <3

BF's b-day card

As much as I love making cards for friends and family, I love purchasing super awesome cards for BF Ruben. I guess, that way I still have the cool "mini prints" in my life. Then, I can frame or display them, later on, for the both of us. .. but, mostly for me?! Is that bad? RedCap produces some of my favorites. Even though Ruben's not blond, I adore the drawing of the couple and the beautifully subdued ink colors. The "I love you" part reminds me of my own style of writing.

The card on the bottom is part of a stationery set (also, by RedCap), that I had been eyeing for the longest time, and finally bought. I heart hot air balloons.

a deer friend

I love giving note sets & stationery as gifts. Especially, jazzing them up. In this case, something, so simple, as a little deer doodle. Hmm, deer doodle? That sounds funny, but you know what I mean. .an outline. 

I drew my little deer on some leftover card stock, so I had a stencil. Traced the stencil on some decorative paper (from my scrap paper stash). .Cut them out.. and voila! Then, I ran the deer through my handy little sticker maker. Glue sticks are great for kids, but I needed some extra reinforcement, that the mini xyron (sticker maker) provides. An adhesive eraser helps get rid of the sticky gunk around the sticker. and, again, with the .. voila!

Tied some twine around the cards, and threw `em in a handmade envelope, along with a stamped birthday card. 

Oh, did this little set inspire so many more ideas! You'll see My Little Deer, again, soon.